By Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – The process of finding a better way to pay for schools in Illinois can’t simply be a discussion about the problems with the school funding formula, according to State Sen. Jason Barickman.

The Bloomington Republican said after last week’s meeting, eventually Gov. Bruce Rauner’s education funding commission will have to talk about solutions.

Barickman said Illinois’ education funding commission has spent the past few months getting acquainted with the problems of paying for schools. The topic of this week’s meeting was the inequities of the PTELL grant.

“Some how, we have to come to whatever agreement we’re going to come to on the commission,” Barickman explained.

That could be an up or down vote from the commission on school funding changes, or simply a list of reforms that the commission members all support.

“I think if a group of Republicans and Democrats, that includes Republicans and Democrats from the Illinois House, put their names on something that says ‘Here are ten bullet points that I’m supporting,’ I think that carries weight,” Barickman said.

But the commission still has plenty to talk about the when it comes to the mechanics of Illinois school funding. The commission’s next meeting will focus on pensions.

“It is a slow grind as we proceed methodically through these issues,” Barickman said.

The commission has a February deadline to deliver a package of reforms to lawmakers. Gov. Rauner wants the full General Assembly to vote on something by the end of May.